Susan Plesscher Chandler
Education:
1967: BA Michigan State University
1975: MSW University of Michigan
Who, What, Where
Bill and I have been married for 43 years. We first met in 1958-61 in Ferndale when my dad was doing a residency in obstetrics. We were on student council together at Ferndale High School when the future governor Jamie Blanchard was president of our student council! Bill and I met up again years later in Ann Arbor and married in January of 1970. Our first child, Scott was born in 1975 when I was in graduate school and Bill was a neurosurgery resident -both at UM in Ann Arbor.
We lived in Stockholm, Sweden for 6 months in 1977-78 where our second son, Jesse was born. We then lived in New Orleans for 18 months, returning to Ann Arbor in 1980 where we have lived continuously except for 3 months in Zurich, Switzerland in the summer of 1986.
Employment
After a summer in Europe in 1967, I taught high school sociology and psychology for one year. The‘67 riots and’68 death of MLK, led me to social work and five years at the Department of Social Services where I had a couple different jobs in public welfare. Mostly I worked with those receiving public assistance (downriver and in Willow Run) but one job was helping to place state hospital patients into group homes (unfortunately contributing to the homeless population).
After two years of graduate school and years of volunteer work and two children, I worked as a research assistant at UM for a couple of years. After receiving additional training in addiction. I then spent 15 years employed at an addiction hospital where I provided educational programs and short-term supportive therapy for patients and their families. I also started and ran support groups for the children of the patients. I am retired and Bill will retire in June from UM where he has worked in academic medicine as a neurosurgeon for almost 40 years.
Volunteering
I have been a deacon and an elder in the Presbyterian Church and involved in many community volunteer activities focused recently on homelessness, peace in the Middle East & literacy. I am still trying to learn to play golf, tennis and bridge. We like to ski out west. My best job ever is Grandma!
Family
Granddaughters Maddy (6) and Lily (3) live in Greensboro, NC with our son Jesse, an orthopedic surgeon and our daughter-in-law Nicole, a pediatrician. Our son Scott uses his JD/MBA negotiating contracts for Yahoo in San Francisco where he lives with his wife Sandy who works in marketing. We see all of them often. We lost my Dad in 2005. Mom is healthy and lives in EL. My 5 sibs all live in MI and we have many Plesscher gatherings.
Travel
We’ve had fun trips this decade to China, Japan, England, Greece, Turkey, as well hiking trips to Nepal and Spain and 4 bareboat sails in the BVI.
Reunion
It seems totally impossible that it has been 50 years since high school graduation. It’s great to have this opportunity ahead of time to ‘catch up’….thanks to the wonderful planning committee! If I can help in any way, please let me know.
All the best,
Sue
Here is a short update from Sue Plesscher Chandler, Feb 2017:
Bill and I are now splitting our time between homes in Greensboro, NC and Ann Arbor, MI. Greensboro is special for many reasons , but for us, it is special because our son , Jesse, his wife Nicole and their two daughters Madeline and Lily live five minutes from us. Our son Scott and his wife Sandra and daughter Sydney live outside of San Francisco which is too far away but we get together with them several times a year. We are all healthy and life is good :).
Sue
And here is the email message Sue's husband kinkly shared, Mar 2019:From: Bill <billchandler2211@comcast.net>
It is with deep sadness that I write to tell you that the brightest light in my life has gone out. Our dear Susie passed away peacefully at 3:00 PM yesterday in a beautiful hospice in Greensboro, North Carolina, very near our home here. She is in God’s loving hands.
Since a devastating stroke last Sunday she has been comfortable and surrounded by the love of her family. As most of you know, she was diagnosed last October with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. In spite of the reality of this terrible news, she reached out to comfort family and friends. We have truly enjoyed and cherished every moment of the last four months. We both have been so grateful for our wonderful fifty years together. We have been truly blessed. Susie has been the most loving, generous, thoughtful and caring person I have ever known.
There will be a Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor on April 5th at 2:00 PM followed by a reception at the church. We will celebrate her life as a gift to all of us.
With our love to all of you.
Bill